Kanye West Responds to Paparazzo Assault Lawsuit

The rapper says he should not be made to pay the damages claimed because he acted in self-defense.

After being sued last month by paparazzo Daniel Ramos over their July 19 altercation outside the Los Angeles International Airport, G.O.O.D. Music mogul Kanye West finally responds to the battery and attempted theft charges filed against him. The Grammy Award-winning rap star said through his lawyer in court documents filed on Friday, September 20 that he should not be made to pay Ramos anything since he just simply acted in self-defense after being provoked by the photographer.

West's attorney stated that the plaintiff, Ramos, should not be paid for the damages he is claiming since he hasn't been "damaged in any amount whatsoever." Moreover, West argues that when he punched Ramos and threw off his camera, he was only reacting after the paparazzo "willfully and wrongfully caused [West] to reasonably believe his safety was in danger," provoked by Ramos' "unlawful and wrongful conduct."

Ramos was one of many paparazzi hanging around outside the Tom Bradley International Terminal when West came out of LAX, approaching him to ask, "Can we talk to you?" However, the "Black Skinhead" singer suddenly "attacked, punching [the plaintiff] and attempting to wrestle the camera from" his hands."

For the said airport incident, West is now facing misdemeanor battery and attempted grand theft charges, with arraignment set for October 10. Ramos' lawyer, popular civil rights lawyer Gloria Allred, will be on hand to prove West's defense as "ludicrous" and contrary to what the recorded video of the reported altercation shows.